chefisaac

I am in the process of getting into bicycle touring and after a lot of research, thinking, and checking bikes out, I have decided to get a custom made touring bike built in Philly by a company called Bilenky. It's locally owned and Stephen, and owner, works on all of the bikes along with his crew. I have decided to go with their Midland Touring Bike.

Though I know some people will think it's crazy to go with a custom bike, this is something that I have thought a lot about and it makes since to me.

On Monday, I set up a meeting with Bilenky and met with Tom and Stephen. First, we talked about what type of riding I do now, why get into touring, what type of touring, what I liked in both the bikes I have now and what I didnt like. They asked a lot of questions and so did I. After an hour of talking and figuring out of a custom was right for me, I decided it was for many reasons.

After that we did a complete 2 hour bike fit.

I am excited for this adventure. The bike will be ready in May and within that time, they have planned many short meetings to go over stuff. I was struck by the wonderful customer service and their shop has a lot of character too.

I have planned a short tour in May along with some longer day rides to get used to the bike and the equipment. Almost, wrapping up the planning on a week long tour in June and hopefully another one in October.

I am very excited to get into touring.

Mark Stone

This sounds very exciting! Keep us updated on the bike's progress and then especially after you get it and start riding it in May. Are you thinking of cross-country trips (like Ken Kifer did) eventually?

chefisaac

Ah, I would love to do a Trans Am tour but to be frank, my job would never let me be gone for the time it takes to do so. I am not sure what touring will bring me or take me. I cant wait to fine out!

10 Wheels

Nice lookin

chefisaac

I am hoping it's nice looking, functional, and fits well!

chefisaac

I am hoping it's nice looking, functional, and fits well!

Fangowolf

Very nice, where's the first trip planned? Maine for some fresh lobster?

indyfabz

Here's to hoping that time frame holds true. As I noted previously, a pal of mine had Bilenky add S&S couplers to his bike earlier this year. Took them over two months, which was more than twice the time quoted.

Did you tell Tom hello for me? I don't see him anymore since he left Trophy and moved. We used to live near each other. You should see his IF stainless. A beaut of a bike.

chefisaac

Will he know your BF name?

I am hoping the time frame will hold true. If not, to be frank, no worries.

funrover 

Awesome, keep us updated!

Captlink

I built a custom sport touring bike 30 years ago and I never regretted it.

indyfabz

No, but you know my real name.

But you have a tour planned for May. Might be nice to have a bike for it. Are they supplying the racks so you will have some that work/fit well right from the start?

Neil_B

Ditto that. Cue the story of the ill-fated Neils on Wheels GAP tour in 2008, where Neilfein's rear rack fell off the bike two miles into the first day's ride.

Also, Iron Chef, you want to have time to dial in your fit on the new bike before attempting back to back days of loaded riding.

chefisaac

Yes, racks and all. The tour in May is a shakedown and much needed to be frank before the longer tour in June.

chefisaac

Lol! Crap!

The plan is to hopefully do an overnight at least once in May and then some longer day rides that month too.

Brando_T.

I'd be interested in what little details you have added to the bike, as well as any unusual measurements/sizing you had to do for fit purposes.

chefisaac

Frame Level Deluxe fillet brazed

Features Oversized tubing
Disc Brake
Pump Peg
26” wheels
Schmidt dyno hub
Front and rear racks
3 H20 Bosses
Seat Tube bilaminate/ Reinforcement
Top tube and down tube bilam at headtube
E - werks charging system

Brakes Detail
Disc Tab Integral to dropout
Split Stops Down tube triple stops, single stops under left chainstay


Gear
Triple stops underneath downtube
Split stop front derailleur behind seat tube above BB Sheel
Split Stop – rear der. Under chainstay 2.75” from DO edge
Split stop Under chainstay 2 " behind BB Shell

Accessories
Pump Peg Head Tube nipple (+ “L” peg if S & S )
Chain Hanger Inside right chainstay
Chainstay Bridge Use chart for 26 x 2.0 w/ fender
Seat Stay Bridge same
H2O Bosses DT top 1set, DT under 1Set , ST 1set
Seat post clamp Pinch bolt mount to bilaminate
Rack eyelets Integral to dropout
Fender Eyelets Integral to dropout
Rack mounts Barrel boss - 16.25" from eyelet

Fork
Fender Eyelets Behind dropout
Rack mount Barrel Boss - back side of blade @ 6.5"
Drill Crown For Supernova head light mount

Item Description Qty. Manufacturer Model Specification

1 Hub Rear 1 White industries Daisy 48 hole, 145mm
2 Hub Front 1 Son 28 classic 40 hole
3 Rear Skewer 1 Shimano LX 36 hole
4 Front Skewer 1 Shimano LX 36 hole
5 Rear Rim 1 Velocity Dyad 48 hole
6 Front Rim 1 Velocity Dyad 40 hole
7 Spokes Wheelsmith DB 14/15
8 Spoke nipples DT Brass
9 Rear Tire 1 Schwalbe Big apple 26 x 2.0
10 Front Tire 1 Schwalbe Big apple 26 x 2.0
11 Tubes 2 Quality Presta 26 x 2
12 Rim Strip 2 Velox Cloth
13 Crank Set 1 Sugino XD 175
14 Chain Rings 1 Sugino 24-36-48
15 Bottom Bracket 1 Shimano un-54 113
16 Pedals 0 Shimano Spd platform/clipless
17 Front Derraileur 1 Shimano Tiagra triple Bottom pull, 28.6 clamp on
18 Rear Derraileur 1 Shimano Deore XT SGS 9spd
19 Shift levers 1 Shimano Ultegra Bar-con 9-speed
20 Shift lever adaptor 0
21 Chain 1 KMC X9.93 9-speed
22 Cassette 1 SRAM PG 951 11 - 36 9spd
23 Calipers 2 Avid BB7 Road Mech
24 Brake levers 1 Sram Road Aero
25 Brake cables 2 Jagwire slick stainless
Inline adjuster 0
26 Head Set 1 FSA Needlbearing 1 1/8"
27 Cablehanger 0 Problem Solver
28 Handlebars 1 Nitto Noodle 48cm
29 Stem Front 1 Ritchey 4 axis 10
30 Tape 1 Cinelli Cork w/ gel pads underneath Black
31 Seatpost binder 1 Sugino Allen key type
32 Seatpost 1 Thomson micro adjust 27.2
33 Saddle 1 Brooks B-17 Special Color
Inbound freight


Accessories
34 Rack Tubus Cargo Rear, Tara Front 26"
35 Bottle cages
36 Fenders SKS Longboard
37 Computer
38 Pump
39 Lights Busch and Mueller Lumotec Fly RT
40 Charging system E-Werks w/ cache battery

Neil_B

And for those who want to spend less money....

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/i...tml?doc_id=858

chefisaac

Money wasn't the point when it came to this Neil.

Neil_B

Understood. But its still a good story to read.

Fangowolf

Wow, even more impressive in words. I can tell ya what happens without the rim tape

chefisaac

lol.

Deaver

Wow Chef, Great Choice. It will be a dream ride as long as you don't have to wear CarHarts

#!

chefisaac

I wish there was a top 10 or 20 list for best Crazyguyonabike stories. Would make it easier to read and get through.

chefisaac

Stephen rocks! He is so funny!